Simulating sunburning toy dolls and figurines



Jan. 19, 1960 c. A. WAGNER ETAL 2,921,407

SIMULATING SUNBURNING TOY DOLLS AND FIGURINES Filed March 12, 1956 FIG.2

FIG.'5

INVENTOR. CHARLES A.WAGNER ERMAN BrWAGNER 772, 9' a i f ATTORNEYS v A g p v 2,921,401

TOY DOLLS AND nEIGURIlSlES Ql arles'Alhert Wagner, Baltimore, Md., and Herman "Block Wagner, Perkasie, Pa.

. Application March 12,'1956, Serial No. 571,118

- Claims. ((146-156) This inventionisconcerned with toy .dolls and-figurines capable of responding to irradiation from the sun or other light source lay-exhibiting a darkening in color, and simulating, in general appearance, the effect of sunlight in producing .erythema or .sunburning .of the human skin. In particular the invention is concerned with toy dolls .and figurines capable: not. only of responding, as stated above, by darkening upon-exposure but capable also of gradually reverting to their initial, lighter color uponremoval from such irradiation, as well. In particular,.:also', this invention is concerned with toy dolls and figurines capable not only .of color change in either direction, as stated above, but capable also of repeatedly and indefinitely undergoing such :cycles, in response to alternate exposure and shielding from irradiation.

'Theiamusement and entertainment derived from toy sate dolls, and the like, is. fundamentally related to their ability to mimictheiphysical geometry, facial expressions, movements, appearances, and physical functions of the human body. Illustrative of such effects presently incorporated in construction of such toys are talking dolls, weeping dolls, sleeping dolls, walking dolls, and so forth. Where a function such as talking, sleeping, weeping, or walking is performed it is necessary for practical use as a toy that the operations be repeatable.

We have conceivedof the entertainment value of a toy dollor figurine that will upon exposure to radiation from the sun orother light source repeatedly simulate the darkening that is observed with the human skin, and that will, correspondingly, gradually revert to a lighter color when this irradiation ceases. *We have also devised methods and compositions for manufacturing dolls and figurines showing these effects, and of, alternatively, treating conventional dolls so as to incorporate these properties.

ltis therefore a primary object of the present invention '-to'- provide -a novel sunburn simulating toy doll.

' Another object .of .the present invention is to provide a novel sunburn simulating doll employing a phototropic substance in combination with a polymeric carrier.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the novel sunburn simulating toy doll of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section through the doll of Figure 1 taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a similar horizontal cross section taken through a modified embodiment of a doll constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fundamentally, our invention is accomplished through incorporation of certain phototropic dyes in appropriate transparent bodies or coatings.' We have selected and formulated these materials so as to obtain visible, distinct, and appropriate changes in color upon irradiation and cessation of irradiation, and so as to obtain appropriate stability in providing for repeated use.

ice

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows in perspective a novel sunburn simulating doll generally indicated at 10. As best seen in Figure 2, doll 10 is made up of a polymeric or plastic carrier 12 in which is dissolved the phototropic substance to produce the sunburn simulating effect. This construction enables the doll to exhibit a relatively tough skin or surface 14 about its periphery.

Figure 3 shows a modified doll construction in accordance with the present invention wherein the doll comprises a glass body 16 surrounded by a polymeric coating 18 impregnated with a phototropic substance in the manner of the material 12 shown in Figure 2. Coating 18 ,similarlyexhibits a' relatively tough outer surface 20 constituting the surface'of the doll.

The followingmay he cited as examples of the practice of this invention, although it will be understood that. these examples are merely illustrative and do not limit ordefine thescope of the invention. 7

I Example 1 -1550 grams of a:high, molecular Weight polyvinyl chloride.1p olyrner ,jin powdered form, were dispersed in this solution by stirring for ten to fifteen minutes. The latter. material was specifically Bakelite Company QYNV, polymer. Thus a plastisol formulation containing the phototropic dye dissolved in the liquid dioctyl phthalate (plasticizerphase) was obtained. About 120 grams of this plastisolpformulation were then poured into a two piece steel mold, ;thijs having its inner surface previously coated; with ,a silicone oil release film, This was thenplaced :in an oven at 14.0 degrees centigrade and held at this temperature :for eight minutes to allow solution of the polyvinyl ;chloride polymer phase. The mold and contents were then removed from .the oven, ,cooledto' room temperature, and the now solid form of the doll figure removed.

The figure athus produced was transparent and red in color. Upon exposure to sunlight a progressive darkeningtto; a brown, thenblue-black color occurred during :a

period-of about :three to :four minutes, simulating a tsunburninglefiect. When ithedoll' was shielded from the sun a return to the original color took place, being visually complete after a period of eight to ten minutes. This action was repeatable with no detectable change in functional characteristics being noted after several dozen cycles.

Example 2 The following composition was prepared.

0.45 gram of mercuric bis-dithizonate 15.0 grams of cellulose acetate butyrate polymer grams toluene 5 grams ethyl alcohol 0.4 gram hydroquinone This solution was applied to a small glass doll figurine by dipping the latter into this solution. This was subsequently allowed to dry by solvent evaporation at room temperature, a yellow-red coating or skin being left on the doll. Upon exposure to sunlight, or artificial lighting, this showed a gradual darkening to a dark brown color,

Patented Jan. 19, I960- and likewise showedthe same'reversibility and ability'to I undergo repeated cycles noted in Example 1.

Example 3 1 The following composition was prepared.

0.45 gram of mono-dithizone mercuric chloride'having the structural formula shown herebelow 15.0 grams cellulose acetate butyrate polymer 80.0 grams toluene i 5.0 grams ethyl alcohol This solution was applied to a small glass doll figurine by dipping the latter into this solution. This was sub-- sequently-allowed to dry by solvent evaporation at'room' Exa r nple 4 The following composition was prepared:

0.45 gram of mercuric bis-dithizonate 15.0 grams of polystyrene polymer 4.0 grams of dioctyl phthalate plasticizer 85.0 grams of toluene This solution was applied to a small, plastic doll figurine by dipping the latter into this solution. This was subsequently allowed to dry by solvent evaporation at room temperature, a yellow-red coating or skin being left on the doll. Upon exposure tosunlight', or artificial lighting, this showed a gradual darkening to a dark brown to color, and likewise showed the same reversibilityand ability to undergo repeated cycles noted in Example 1. We have found that othercarriers for the phototropic V dyes, in addition to the polymers noted above,'may be used. Among these are polymethylmethacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride-acetate, and other vinyl type polymers, cellulose acetate,cellulose propionate, and acid-cured epoxy-type polymers. Certain other polymers, such as nitrocellulose, containing reactive groups, toward which the phototropic dyes are'not stable, may not be used. Plasticizers, additives, and impuritiestoward which the phototropic dyes are not-stable may not be included in the compositions. Examples of these latter are: amino compounds, which may not be used as the catalysts, where epoxy-type polymers are used as the carrier; reactive monomers; such as styrene,

which may not be present as impurities; and high boiling compounds containing the hydroxyl group,'such as glycerine, which remain in the carrier and inhibit the color change of the phototropic dyes. V

It has been found possible, also to modifythe pre-exposure and post-exposure color characteristics by addi tion of non-photosensitive dyes to the formulations. Examples of such dyes are the Sudan yellows, greens, reds, and diazobenzene. modify these color characteristics; in the case of the coating application, byiselection ofvariously colored substrates (doll or figure surfaces). over which the coating is applied. 7 A v. f

It is apparent thatvvariationslin selection of photo tropic compound, carrier, and mode of application and assembly may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the essential ,featuresand concepts of this invention. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment istherefore to be consideredin all respects 'as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indifore intended to be embraced therein.

What iscIaimed and desired .to; be secured-by'United States Letters Patent is::

11. A doll 'co'm'prisin'ga body. portion having a surface.

area containing a phototropic substance which contains a dithizone compoundincorporated in solution within a. polymeric carrier forming arelatively tough surface on. 'th'edoll. I

2. A doll comprising .a' body having afsu'rface area containing a 'phototropicfsubstance selected :from

the group consisting of mercuric bis-dithizonate .and

'4. A doll asset out in claim 3 wherein. aid doll is formed of said polymeric carrier in which said; phototropic substance is. dissolved. f V

5. A doll as set out in claim 3wherein saidpolymeric carrier containing said phototropic substance .forms. a

surface. onsaid doll. V I

7 References Cited'inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,656,647 Schepp Oct. 2 1, 1953 2,730,765 Crafton' et al.'.' Jan; 17 1956 It has. been -found possible, also, to 

